Adelante Awards

Haniny Hillberg - WINNER

President, Hispanic Festival, Inc.

Haniny Nisttahuz Riveros Hillberg, an immigrant from Bolivia, has become a prominent figure and leader within the Hispanic and St. Louis communities. With over 40 years of active participation in numerous organizations and non-profits, including the Hispanic Festival, Inc., she has helped raise awareness for thousands of Hispanic artisans locally and nationwide. Through her leadership, the Hispanic Festival, Inc. has made an impact on 1 million individuals in the St. Louis region over the past three decades. Collaborating closely with institutions like the St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, federal government agencies, and schools, she strives to showcase and celebrate Hispanic culture. Recognized with the St. Louis Visionary Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to Hispanic arts, Ms. Hillberg aims to advance Hispanic arts, educate future generations about the culture, and enhance the Hispanic community. After a 30-year career in the federal government, she now dedicates her time to the Hispanic Festival, Inc., and the Hispanic community, while also enjoying moments with her grandchildren, traveling, and volunteering.

Leslie Hernandez

Founder, De Mi Madre Aprendí

Leslie Hernandez is the innovative force behind "De Mi Madre Aprendí - “From My Mother I Learned," a vibrant line of Latin Flavor seasonings. As an entrepreneur, Leslie's journey began with a deep-rooted passion for traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, learned firsthand from her mother in Puerto Rico. Her mother, renowned for her delectable Puerto Rican "Pasteles" and other simple, natural dishes. Her mother introduced Leslie to the values of love, humility, and community. Her mother’s remarkable ability to feed her 16 children and extended family with limited resources inspired Leslie to create products that bring people together through food.

Today, Leslie channels this legacy into her brand, crafting high-quality marinades and seasonings that burst with rich flavors without relying on salt or artificial additives. With "De Mi Madre Aprendí," Leslie aims to share the warm, familiar atmosphere of her mother's kitchen, delivering traditional Puerto Rican home cooking everywhere.

Lydia Padilla

President & Franchise Owner , TRC Talent Solutions

Lydia Padilla is from California and has been president and franchise owner of TRC Talent Solutions is the St. Louis region for 24 years.

Mrs. Padilla has been a member of the HCC for 25 years and served on its board for 9 years as Vice President and other leadership roles. She was the president of the HCC Foundation and an intriguing part of creating the HCC Leadership Program.

She has also served on the board of the YWCA and STL Community College Foundation board. She is the currently on the Subdistrict board of the Missouri Botanical Garden and is its past president. Mrs. Padilla also serves on the Workforce Investment and Easterseals boards.

Lydia has is a Big Sister (Big Brothers Big Sisters) to Ra’Shonda. They have been together for 20 years!

Lydia and her husband live in Lafayette Square and host artist, musicians, students, touring cyclists and anyone who is traveling through.

Marcelle Pires

Bayer Crop Science

With over 25 years of experience in the healthcare, agribusiness, chemical, and energy sectors, I have dedicated my career to leadership, diversity, and mental health advocacy. I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering and multiple master’s degrees in Statistics, Marketing, Seed Technology and Business, and Leadership. My strategic roles at Bayer Crop Science and Monsanto have allowed me to drive transformative business strategies and operational excellence, fostering significant organizational growth.

In addition to my corporate achievements, I actively engage in non-profit work, serving as a Board Director at Provident Behavioral Health to enhance mental health services. My involvement with the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation and Boys Hope Girls Hope empowers women and youth, nurturing leadership and personal development.
As the International Lead for the Latinx Business Resource Group at Bayer, I champion diversity and inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued. My advocacy has been recognized with awards such as the 2023 Luminary Award. My Brazilian and Portuguese heritage deeply influences my commitment to inclusive leadership and advocacy across all spheres.

Maria Mullis

St. Louis Crisis Nursery

Maria Mullis began helping families in need over 40 years ago in her home country of Colombia. Her kind heart and caring spirit have touched the lives of thousands of children and families in Central America and here in St. Louis. Since joining the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery in 2015, Maria has helped hundreds of families, many newly arrived in our area with little more than the clothes on their backs.

As a member of the Crisis Nursery's "Latinx Outreach Program," and now as the Crisis Nursery's "Community Relations Specialist," Maria always makes sure every Nursery family feels loved and cared for. She tells everyone she meets about the critical work the Crisis Nursery is doing to help families overcome crises, and she makes sure everyone knows how they can help!

Maria is an extraordinary individual whose lifelong dedication and tireless efforts have profoundly impacted the lives of countless children and families. We are lucky to have her in our community.

Mary Cardenas

Business Development Officer- Montgomery Bank/ Crisis Nursey of St. Louis/ St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis/ Post Prison Ministry ICD Parish/ Hispanic Festival Inc.

Mary Cardenas, a Business Development Officer, has worked in this role for over 6 years side by side with her company Montgomery Bank. She has been able to achieve her goals by helping families in the Hispanic Community. Playing a big part in their success to become homeowners and gaining financial empowerment has been one of the greatest rewards. She is also a part of the Board of Directors for Crisis Nursery of St. Louis which has been another avenue that has allowed her to reach even more members of the community. Additionally, Mary has volunteered as a caseworker at the organization at St. Vincent de Paul. She saw an immense need for bilingual speakers for families having difficulties communicating their needs and made the decision to join the organization without hesitation. She also joined the Post Prison Ministry at her church ICD Parish to help people get their life back on track. Mary is actively involved in spreading awareness of the culture at the annual Hispanic Festival. Her passion is heavily centered on helping her community and she takes pride in being an asset and resource in this space. Mary was born to immigrants parents from Chihuahua & Durango Mexico and as Mary would say “de sangre Mexicana y muy orgullosa de mis raíces.” From a young age Mary witnessed her mother’s kind heart and giving spirit and has decided to carry on that legacy. Her mother was her greatest role model in life. Mary is honored to be a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Becoming a member has opened many doors to meet and network with so many likeminded people who share her passion. Mary’s ultimate achievement is having raised three incredible human beings. She gets the strength and courage from her children, Gabriel, Fermin Jr and Andrea. She is also blessed to have a supportive family who has been there every step of the way and inspired her to keep going during difficult times. Mary’s spends her down time enjoying her grandchildren and grand dogs.

Eydi Cavalieri Arriojas

President, Venezuelan Association in Missouri

Eydi was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to St Louis in 2003. As of 2005, she transferred university credits from Venezuela where she was pursuing a Labor Law degree to Lindenwood University obtaining her degree in human resources management. Since then and after working a few years in the banking industry advocating for Hispanic initiatives, she has been dedicated to her HR professional career for over 16 years. Eydi holds as of today the Human Resources Business Partner role for NORAM at Novus International.

During her professional years she has worked in different industries and organizations, allowing her to create partnerships not only with the companies she worked for, but also connecting programs, and organizations in the community with the idea of expanding collaboration through inclusion and diversity initiatives. In 2023 she rejoined the Board of the Venezuelan Association as a President – Volunteer position, which she previously served as a Director and Treasurer, among volunteering for different non-profit organizations in the area.

Besides her professional life, she is a passionate advocate for the community, trying always to understand how we can proactively help people to be successful, better understood, and to proactively discuss solutions, and programs that educate not only our community but also Organizations who works together in supporting the Hispanic/Latino initiatives. She believes that a person who truly wants to help does not build personal relationships to their advantage, instead the relationships should be built to benefit the cause or community you are working for.

German Gonzalez Herrera

President and Counselor at Law at Gonzalez Herrera Law Firm, LLC

German A. Gonzalez Herrera arrived in the United States in 2011 to learn English. He decided to leave his legal career behind in pursuit of his love, Rocio Martinez. Determined to build a better future despite not speaking English, he began working in a warehouse before deciding in 2015 to continue his legal career. As an attorney, his primary mission has been to serve and empower the immigrant community. Over the past five years, his firm, Gonzalez Herrera Law Firm, LLC, has dedicated significant time and resources to volunteer efforts, including the Latin Outreach Program of Crisis Nursery. Since 2019, nearly 1,000 individuals have received over $60,000 worth of pro bono legal services.

German is an attorney with a social worker's heart, working holistically with his clients, listening to their needs beyond the legal field, and connecting them with organizations or individuals who can help them. His commitment to the community extends beyond his legal practice. He has actively collaborated with community leaders, providing legal advice, and participating in numerous events to foster community support. Additionally, he founded a mentorship program at the Hispanic Bar Association in St. Louis, designed to support minority law students in the region. His dedication to service is further demonstrated by his volunteering with the Conflict Resolution Center St. Louis. Finally, German gives talks about immigration to encourage empathy for immigrants.

Jo Ann Di Maggio May

Illinois SBDC for the Metro East

More info coming soon!

Leslie Hernandez

Founder, De Mi Madre Aprendí

Leslie Hernandez is the innovative force behind "De Mi Madre Aprendí - “From My Mother I Learned," a vibrant line of Latin Flavor seasonings. As an entrepreneur, Leslie's journey began with a deep-rooted passion for traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, learned firsthand from her mother in Puerto Rico. Her mother, renowned for her delectable Puerto Rican "Pasteles" and other simple, natural dishes. Her mother introduced Leslie to the values of love, humility, and community. Her mother’s remarkable ability to feed her 16 children and extended family with limited resources inspired Leslie to create products that bring people together through food.

Today, Leslie channels this legacy into her brand, crafting high-quality marinades and seasonings that burst with rich flavors without relying on salt or artificial additives. With "De Mi Madre Aprendí," Leslie aims to share the warm, familiar atmosphere of her mother's kitchen, delivering traditional Puerto Rican home cooking everywhere.

Manuel (Manny) Cruz - WINNER

Bayer Crop Science

Manuel (Manny) Cruz is a nominee for the Hispanic/Latino Civic Award of the Year. He is the Head of Marketing and Sales Procurement for Bayer’s Crop Science division, known for his dedication to people development and creating high-performing teams. Originally from Cuba and now based in St. Louis, Manny has a background in Finance from Washington University and has been actively involved in community support and leadership roles. He served as President of the Monsanto Latin Network (now UNIDOS), collaborating with the STL Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and supporting various philanthropic causes, including health fairs and pediatric care. Manny also excelled as Co-chair of the Bayer United Way campaign, achieving significant donations and employee engagement, with nearly $3 million raised in 2023. His efforts in promoting Hispanic community events and employee participation underscore his commitment to fostering positive social impact and organizational growth.

Maria Mullis

St. Louis Crisis Nursery

Since joining the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery in 2015, Maria Mullis' kind heart and caring spirit have touched the lives of thousands of children and families, many of whom were newly arrived in our area with little more than the clothes on their backs.

As a member of the Crisis Nursery's "Latinx Outreach Program," and now as the Crisis Nursery's "Community Relations Specialist," Maria always makes sure every Nursery family feels loved and cared for. She tells everyone she meets about the critical work the Crisis Nursery is doing to help families overcome crises, and she makes sure everyone knows how they can help!

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is so fortunate to have Maria working to provide assistance to our families.

Mary Cardenas

Business Development Officer- Montgomery Bank/ Crisis Nursey of St. Louis/ St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis/ Post Prison Ministry ICD Parish/ Hispanic Festival Inc.

Mary Cardenas, a Business Development Officer, has worked in this role for over 6 years side by side with her company Montgomery Bank. She has been able to achieve her goals by helping families in the Hispanic Community. Playing a big part in their success to become homeowners and gaining financial empowerment has been one of the greatest rewards. She is also a part of the Board of Directors for Crisis Nursery of St. Louis which has been another avenue that has allowed her to reach even more members of the community. Additionally, Mary has volunteered as a caseworker at the organization at St. Vincent de Paul. She saw an immense need for bilingual speakers for families having difficulties communicating their needs and made the decision to join the organization without hesitation. She also joined the Post Prison Ministry at her church ICD Parish to help people get their life back on track. Mary is actively involved in spreading awareness of the culture at the annual Hispanic Festival. Her passion is heavily centered on helping her community and she takes pride in being an asset and resource in this space. Mary was born to immigrants parents from Chihuahua & Durango Mexico and as Mary would say “de sangre Mexicana y muy orgullosa de mis raíces.” From a young age Mary witnessed her mother’s kind heart and giving spirit and has decided to carry on that legacy. Her mother was her greatest role model in life. Mary is honored to be a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Becoming a member has opened many doors to meet and network with so many likeminded people who share her passion. Mary’s ultimate achievement is having raised three incredible human beings. She gets the strength and courage from her children, Gabriel, Fermin Jr and Andrea. She is also blessed to have a supportive family who has been there every step of the way and inspired her to keep going during difficult times. Mary’s spends her down time enjoying her grandchildren and grand dogs.

Cortex Innovation District

The Cortex Innovation District, celebrated globally for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, empowers a diversity of communities by providing the resources needed to shape the future. Home to startups, R&D teams, manufacturers, nonprofits, and creators of all kinds, Cortex is where technology, art, and enterprise converge to grow and connect. Cortex creates equitable economic impacts by leveraging high-quality facilities, developing programs that build knowledge and networks, and convening strategic partnerships that attract and support emerging and established companies.

Cortex has a direct impact upon the St. Louis community via two programs: Square One Entrepreneur Training and Workforce Systems. The Square One Entrepreneur Training program actively supports underrepresented entrepreneurs – including women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ individuals – and takes a person-centered and holistic approach to equip participants with essential tools, resources, and mentorship to bring their ideas to life. Workforce Systems builds an ecosystem of partners and resources to train and place untapped talent into high-demand career fields.

International Institute of St. Louis

Since its founding in 1919, the International Institute of St. Louis has helped immigrants to our area become self-sufficient and thrive, in the process creating a more welcoming and prosperous region for all. This year, it is on track to resettle a record-breaking number of new arrivals.

Some of these have been served by the Institute’s innovative Latino Outreach Initiative. Launched late last year, and initially conceived to attract humanitarian parolees from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti to St. Louis, the program has evolved to serve the needs of Latino and Hispanic immigrants who need help getting on their feet as they seek to build better lives here. The Latino Outreach Initiative takes a holistic approach to supporting these new arrivals, providing support with housing, employment, nutrition, and educational, as well as advancing digital equity by providing mobile phones with data  plans and wireless hotspots. Since launching just 10 months ago, the program has served over 200 individuals with the potential of bringing hundreds more to St. Louis. By intentionally targeting work-eligible individuals the program ensures they are integrated into the workforce upon arrival, speeding their transition to self-sufficiency. The program is unique in the United States and has drawn national media attention. This has positioned St. Louis as a model of innovative approaches to immigrant support and drives positive narratives about it as a welcoming city.

Of course, resettlement and integration assistance are just a few of the services the International Institute currently offers to provide holistic, wraparound support to St. Louis immigrants and their communities. It also offers counselling, youth programming, job readiness and placement assistance, trauma-informed care for survivors of human trafficking, and interpretation and translation services to ensure that language access is not a barrier to achieving success in St. Louis. Its Community Development Corporation, a certified Community Development Financial Institution, provides a suite of services to empower financial independence, from financial literacy training to credit-builder and business loans for immigrants seeking to start their own companies.

Building a thriving and multicultural region cannot be achieved by one organization alone; it requires community-wide effort and investment. This is why the International Institute has always sought to build meaningful, lasting, and mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations such as the Hispanic Chamber, of which it has been an organizational member since 1982. Through our shared efforts, we will prevail in building a St. Louis region that is a model of immigration done right, and a place where every person—no matter their country of origin—has the opportunity to thrive.

Puentes de Esperanza - WINNER

For the past 20 years, Puentes de Esperanza: Bridges of Hope has served as a leading service provider to Spanish speaking families throughout the Metro-East and Southern Illinois Region. Puentes de Esperanza offers an array of programs and services including case management, interpretation and translation, outreach and educational workshops, bilingual counseling, and much more. The organization continues to grow and adapt services to meet the community's need. Since 2020, Puentes has tripled the number of individuals served by expanding services to rural communities and offering virtual services. Services are offered at the main office in Fairview Heights and two satellite offices in Fairmont City and Chester, IL.

The organization uses a trauma informed care model that focuses on building relationships and removing barriers to connect families to services. Puentes has successfully organized and executed numerous outreach programs aimed at engaging local communities. These programs often focus on education, health awareness, and social services, making a significant impact on the community’s well-being.

By forming strategic partnerships with local non-profits and civic organizations, Puentes has been able to amplify its efforts and resources, leading to more effective community projects and initiatives such as coordinating an annual visit from the Mexican consulate. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Puentes implemented a community health navigator program that issued stipends to more than 25 community navigators, provided health sanitation stations to 30 businesses serving the Hispanic Community, and reached more than 3,000 Spanish speaking individuals through health related content. Furthermore, the organization has successfully coordinated financial relief programs to aid eligible families facing critical conditions. Puentes received recognition for the organization's community work from the St. Louis Cardinals Foundation for their 2023 Pitching In Program. Puentes de Esperanza has fortified partnerships at the state and local levels to ensure this population has continued access to programs and resources designed to help sustain a higher level of well-being and integration into the community.

Puerto Rican Society

The Puerto Rican Society, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation whose objectives include: supporting education scholarships for Hispanic/Latino students in the St. Louis metropolitan area, promoting the awareness of the Puerto Rican culture and traditions, ensuring self-improvement, providing social activities for its members and their guests, sponsoring and supporting events that will benefit the Puerto Rican community, and strengthening mutual understanding throughout the local community. Membership in the organization is open to all persons who subscribe to and work toward attaining the objectives of the corporation.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers - St. Louis Gateway Professional Chapter

Our vision is to see a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

We have donated over 730 volunteer hours in 2024 by:

• Promoting the development of Hispanics in engineering, science, and other technical professionals through educational, career, and leadership workshops and networking events
• Working closely within the St. Louis community (e.g. schools and local outreach events) to provide STEM awareness, access, support, and development
  • This year, we participated in South City Confluence Academy’s STEM Night, SciFest at the Science Center, Día del Niño STEM Event, Noche de Ciencias at St. Cecilia
• Granting scholarships to graduating seniors and university/college students pursuing a degree in a STEM or technical field and support programs that enhance student educational goals
  • We have given over $7000 in scholarships since 2019.
• Engaging with student SHPE chapters to provide collegiate students with development workshops and mentorship in preparation for a career in STEM

Benneth Perez

Wire Harness Design & Install Engineer, The Boeing Company

Benneth Perez is a Wire Harness Design and Installation Engineer supporting Phantom Works in St. Louis. He joined Boeing in 2019 after earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Prior to working in St. Louis Benneth worked at Kennedy Space Center supporting world renowned platforms such as the International Space Station (ISS), Space Launch System (SLS) and various satellite programs. Benneth has successfully founded several internal and external organizations at various states, helping create communities where ever he goes. Outside of work, Benneth is passionate about mentoring student, giving back to his community and empowering Latinos/Hispanics in their early careers.

Cristian Romero

Veterans Resource Representative, St. Louis Community College

A Saint Louis local, throughout his two years with Saint Louis Community College, has managed to start a program for Hispanic Community College students and staff. This program will bring individuals together and allow them to familiarize themselves with the Hispanic community rooted in Saint Louis. In his free time, Cristian encourages students to continue their educational journey and directs them to the appropriate resources they need to succeed in their academics. In addition to bringing awareness to the Hispanic community and leading students to success, he assists veterans transition into civilian life. He approaches this by building on established programs through advocacy and by creating meaningful relationships.

Diego Cuerda-Gil

Scientist, Bayer Crop Science

Diego Cuerda-Gil was born and raised in Mexico. He is a highly accomplished scientist with a PhD in Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University. Diego moved to STL in 2018 to continue his research studies at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Currently, he is a Scientist at Bayer Crop Science, where he guides the application of innovative gene expression tools in agriculture and leads the development of Next Generation of CRISPR tools.

Diego Cuerda-Gil has made significant contributions to fostering Latino community engagement and cultural integration within Bayer. He led the organization of major events like the Bayer-Fall Harvest Fest, Bayer Hispanic Heritage celebrations and the United Way Latin Dinner, incorporating cultural showcases to celebrate Latino heritage. Diego initiated monthly cultural lunches that promoted understanding among diverse employees, and continuously refined these activities based on participant feedback. As a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), he collaborated with HR to enhance inclusive policies and spearheaded DEI celebrations. Additionally, Diego played a key role in strengthening Latino talent recruitment by building relationships with professional organizations and improving the employee referral program. He also provided bilingual tours for Latin visitors, tailoring experiences to highlight the company’s community involvement and career opportunities.

Elany Saavedra

Navigation Engineer, The Boeing Company

Elany currently serves as the President of SHPE St. Louis Gateway Professional Chapter (SHPE STL). She is passionate about STEM outreach. As the first engineer in her family, Elany recognizes the importance of early exposure to STEM and the need for students to feel represented. She is committed to increasing the representation of Hispanics and women in STEM. She has served as an activity lead at various STEM events and started the SHPEtinas group within SHPE STL, which aims to empower Latinas in STEM.

Gabriela Baeza-Stout

Senior Associate, Armstrong Teasdale LLP

Gabriela Baeza-Stout is a Senior Associate with Armstrong Teasdale’s Corporate Services Group, she is also a member of the firm's Technology Transactions team, the Data Innovation, Security and Privacy practice and the firm’s Artificial Intelligence team. She is an accomplished attorney with years of experience both in-house and in private practice. The focus of her practice is on technology transactions, corporate and M&A matters, as well as in intellectual property as it relates to transactional law. She graduated with an LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law from Washington University, an LLB from Universidad Anáhuac-Mayab and a MA from New York University where she attended as a Fulbright-Garcia Robles Scholar. She has been admitted to the practice of law in Missouri and Mexico. Gaby is an alumna of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization to which she gives back by participating as a volunteer on its different programs to empower and inspire the next generation of diverse leaders in the legal profession. In addition to her achievements and contributions in the LCLD Alumni Community, Gaby has also demonstrated her commitment with leadership in other ways. She has shared her expertise and insights as a panelist for the SIU Law School Pre Law Summer Institute in 2022 and again in 2023, where she encouraged and inspired aspiring law students from diverse backgrounds. She has also taken on a leadership role as the President of the Hispanic Bar Association of St Louis in August 2023, where she spearheaded the initiative to launch the Law Student Mentorship Program and the Law Student Conference Scholarship, to help students achieve their goals and overcome barriers. Furthermore, she has volunteered her time and skills as an attorney for the Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic organized by The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) Women in the Legal Profession (WILP) Section, Legal Service of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) and SLU School of Law, where she assisted low-income entrepreneurs with legal issues and challenges. More recently, Gaby participated as an attorney volunteer at The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Small Business Success Program. Through these activities, Gaby has shown that she is not only a leader in the legal profession, but also a leader in the community, who takes action to create positive change and deliver tangible results. Gaby's achievements and contributions in community are admirable, but they are not the only reasons why she deserves recognition with the Adelante Award “Hispanic Emerging Leader”. Gaby has shown her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, by taking the role of Co-Lead of the firm's Employee Resource Group Hispanic Alliance on Collaboration and Engagement. She has also advocated for the firm's involvement and support of various organizations that advance diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. She was recognized by Lawyers of Color, 2023 Hot List Honoree, and The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, in 2023 and 2024.

Gerardo Garza

The Boeing Company

Gerardo Garza is a Hispanic emerging leader who is originally from Pharr, Texas. After earning his aerospace engineering degree from Texas A&M University in 2017, he moved to St. Louis to pursue his engineering career at Boeing. Outside of his career, Gerardo is driven by his passion for selfless service and desire to make a meaningful impact in the community.

In 2018, Gerardo took initiative to revamp the St. Louis chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). His leadership in SHPE St. Louis in multiple leadership roles has helped create a community – a Familia – for professional Hispanics/Latinos(as) in many engineering industries; since his leadership involvement the organization has grown to over 70 members and created partnerships with numerous organizations such as the HCCSTL. Gerardo has also helped further the chapter’s mission to promote the development of professional members through educational, career, and leadership workshops. In addition, he has led the chapter to be actively involved in community outreach, specifically aimed towards promoting STEM in local showcases and schools with high minority enrollment. In 2019, Gerardo re-established the organization’s involvement in the Hispanic Scholarship Alliance (HSA). Since then, he has led the organization’s strategy to provide $7,000 in scholarships to first-generation college students. But the most fulfilling part of his involvement in SHPE STL is being able to inspire the next generation of Hispanic/Latino(as) in STEM by actively volunteering in STEM events and mentoring students.

In addition to his heavy involvement with SHPE, Gerardo is part of the leadership planning committee for the HCCSTL’s Jóvenes Profesionales group that aims to bring Hispanics/Latinos(as) together to foster connections. Furthermore, Gerardo recently began to participate in a hiring strategy project at Boeing St. Louis that aims to recruit and retain Hispanic/Latino(a) engineering talent.

Justina Coronel - WINNER

News reporter with KSDK Channel 5

Justina has won two Associated Press awards in her previous market of Salisbury, Maryland. In St. Louis, she's won an Edward Murrow award in 2024, has been nominated for 3 Emmys, won Best Reporter by the Illinois News Broadcasters Association in 2023, and KSDK's Unsung Hero award in 2023. She’s a recent former Big for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Board Member for St. Martha’s Hall, Board Member for the Hispanic Leaders Group, and a crisis intervention volunteer and Chair of the Young Professionals Board for Safe Connections. In 2023, she won Safe Connections' Impact Award.

Saida Cornejo-Zuñiga

Recruitment and Capital Access Lead, WEPOWER

Saida Cornejo Zuñiga was born in Michoacán, Mexico and raised in the Bay Area, California. She came to St. Louis as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, a cross-sector civic leadership development program that broadened her understanding of the region. Her appreciation for the city grew, leading her to join Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez’s team as the 6th Ward Legislative Aide for the City of St. Louis, where she spearheaded ward initiatives and conducted policy research.

Deeply committed to uplifting the Hispanic/Latino community, Saida also joined the Board of the Hispanic Leaders Group as the Legislative Affairs Committee Chair. Currently, Saida is the Recruitment and Capital Access Lead at WEPOWER, where guides Black and Latinx entrepreneurs through small business accelerators and funding opportunities.

Pan Pa Ti

More info coming soon!

Sureste Restaurant - WINNER

More info coming soon!

Iman Promos and Mkt LLC

More info coming soon!

El India & El Tapatio

More info coming soon!

Luzco Technologies

More info coming soon!

Montgomery Bank - WINNER

More info coming soon!

Red Latina Communications

More info coming soon!

STL Automotive Group

STL Automotive Group, founded in 2017, brings over 14 years of expertise in the automotive industry, delivering exceptional customer service. Committed to supporting the Hispanic community, we actively participate in various community events, including the Hispanic Festival 2023 and our upcoming involvement in 2024. We proudly celebrated victories in the Mundialito League 2023-2024 and the Missouri Cup 2024, showcasing our commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Additionally, we support the Friends of Kids with Cancer Foundation, demonstrating our dedication to making a positive impact beyond the automotive industry.

Cecilia Velazquez

Red Latina Communications

More info coming soon!

Elias Corpas

Crump Life Insurance Service

More info coming soon!

Janette Avalos De Conte

Broker-Salesperson, Beyond Trust Realty

Janette Avalos De Conte is an award-winning Real Estate Broker-Salesperson in Missouri with 5 years of experience. As the team leader of Beyond Trust Realty, powered by BSG Realty, Janette has successfully assisted close to 200 families, with 90% of them being Hispanic, showcasing her deep commitment to serving her community. Janette and her husband founded a real estate investment company to invest in their community, further expanding their impact. Janette played a key role in founding the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), where she helped educate and empower real estate professionals who serve Hispanic homebuyers and sellers.

Before real estate, Janette worked as a Medical Interpreter for LAMP Interpreting Agency, providing interpretation and translation services to the community. She also participated in numerous free health fairs, allowing her to connect deeply with the community and understand its needs.
Since October 2023, Janette has partnered with the Monarchy Organization to provide donations of clothing, personal goods, hygiene products, and toys for the community in St. Louis.

Janette’s dedication to cultural enrichment is also evident through her volunteer work with Hispanic Festival Inc., where she has served on the committee for 5 years. Through the festivals, they help increase regional and cultural awareness.

For the past 5 years, Janette has also been actively involved with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce St. Louis, where she has gained invaluable skills and built meaningful connections. The support from the Chamber remains a cherished part of her journey.

Leslie Hernandez

Founder, De Mi Madre Aprendí

Leslie Hernandez is the innovative force behind "De Mi Madre Aprendí - “From My Mother I Learned," a vibrant line of Latin Flavor seasonings. As an entrepreneur, Leslie's journey began with a deep-rooted passion for traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, learned firsthand from her mother in Puerto Rico. Her mother, renowned for her delectable Puerto Rican "Pasteles" and other simple, natural dishes. Her mother introduced Leslie to the values of love, humility, and community. Her mother’s remarkable ability to feed her 16 children and extended family with limited resources inspired Leslie to create products that bring people together through food.

Today, Leslie channels this legacy into her brand, crafting high-quality marinades and seasonings that burst with rich flavors without relying on salt or artificial additives. With "De Mi Madre Aprendí," Leslie aims to share the warm, familiar atmosphere of her mother's kitchen, delivering traditional Puerto Rican home cooking everywhere.

Sonia Granados - WINNER

President at  HRC Consultants, L.L.C. (Hispanic & Women Owned Business)

Sonia Granados (Sonia) earned her Master of Arts in Human Resource Development and Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Sonia began her federal civil service career as member of the Contraband Enforcement Team with the U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs Service, where she worked for 13 years. She then spent over 22 years as a federal investigator with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division (DOL-WHD), enforcing a broad spectrum of labor standard laws.  As a DOL-WHD Strategic Planning Initiative Team Lead, for a period of 17 years, Sonia was responsible to engage in regional / local strategic plan development and coordination, media planning, community outreach educational programing, monitor & reported outcome measurements and networking efforts targeted on inclusion of underserve Hispanic workforce to promote wage & hour compliance.

In January 2020, post-retirement, Sonia transitioned to the private sector, founding HRC Consultants, LLC, where she now dedicates her expertise in advocating and assisting Hispanic businesses to navigate through the complexities of both federal and state statutory and regulatory labor laws.  As a respected figure within the Hispanic business community, Sonia has been an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro St. Louis (HCC) for over four years. She has volunteered her services on numerous chamber committees, such as:  Small Business Committee, Expert Consultant in the Hispanic Business Success Program (HBSP), and the Skill/Trade & Small Business Committee / Contractor Connect.  Sonia has participated in various chamber training programs, such as:  Hispanic Restaurant Owner Training, Soft Landing in Saint Louis (Webinar), Immigrants in Our Midst (Conference), and How to Hire Employees and Independent Contractors (Spanish Webinar).

Sonia has played a pivotal role in delivering training workshops aimed at Hispanic entrepreneurs, demonstrating her commitment to empowering diverse business owners. Her extensive clientele includes notable organizations such as Cortex's Square One, Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE, Fairtrade Hispanic Importers / Employers, Laborers’ Local #110, Puentes de Esperanza, St. Louis County / City Library, The Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois, and various Hispanic restaurant business owners in both the State of Illinois & Missouri.